Morning Report: local papers

Wednesday's headlines: ''Reluctant heroes" recognised for rescue of injured canyoner from a deep gorge; house attacked with an axe after resident filmed antics of boyracer; city council accused of delaying the demolition of two crippled heritage buildings.

NZ Herald

The New Zealand Herald features 'miracle girl' Mikaela Blayney, 20, an acrobatic abseiler who plunged six stories from an Auckland city building yesterday, breaking only her cheekbone. Ms Blayney was part of a group performing above Aotea Square, when she fell about 20 metres to the ground in front of onlookers.

The paper also reports how a boyracer attacked a house in West Auckland with an axe, after taking exception to the resident filming his street antics.

Waikato Times

The Waikato Times reports that the region's economy looks set to be a winner from the decision by shipping line goliath Maersk to switch 52 ship calls per year from Auckland to the Port of Tauranga. The paper says the move could mean the development of an inland port at Ruakura, creating thousands of jobs.

Dominion Post

The Dominion Post leads with a sobriety plea from Capital & Coast and Hutt Valley District Health Boards, which say alcohol abuse is saddling the health system with "entirely avoidable costs". In an open letter to the paper, the DHBs called for ''a community-wide conversation'' about alcohol, saying the health system can do only so much on its own.

The paper also reports on the death of Sharyn Lynam, a paraplegic woman, who is believed to have died when her pain relief medication accidentally released a lethal overdose through an adhesive patch.

The Press

The Press leads with accusations against Christchurch City Council that it delayed the demolition of two earthquake-crippled heritage buildings that collapsed, killing 12 people, in the February earthquake.

The paper also reports on unease from teacher unions and school principals at proposed charter school trials in the city.

ODT

The Otago Daily Times says strong action against spectators who abuse referees, parents or other spectators is expected to be introduced in Otago for the next junior rugby season.

The paper also features "Reluctant heroes" Lionel Clay and Davie Robinson, of Wanaka, who have received national recognition for their part in a search and rescue operation in April, which involved winching an injured canyoner out of a deep gorge.